How to Build a Batting Line-up

I'm recycling an article I wrote last summer about how to construct Baseball Batting Line-up. Since baseball season is in full swing I figured I would post it again.

In order to find the best possible batting order for the creation of runs, I’ve come up with this method. A correct batting line-up could help a major league team win more games each year. However I’ve made it simple enough even a high school or legion coach without the complex MLB stats programs could use it. Also Rule #1 don’t be afraid to make exceptions based on key stats like a player’s recent hot streak, or career stats against a pitcher. Also in areas where the stats are similar you can make judgment calls based on other statistical evidence. Keep in mind pitchers these days don’t last long in games. Also this requires you to be familiar with your personal, especially their base running abilities. This formula is most effective for teams who play "small-ball" and run a lot. The “Rizzo Run Creation Batting Line-Up Formula” works best if applied to players with over 100 current season at bats.

Here are the steps for creating the most efficient run producing line-up possible, once you identify your starting 9. You should follow this order step by step.

1. Bat the Pitcher 9th (Pro Baseball only). You want the pitcher to focus on pitching.

2. Take your highest OPS (OBP% + Slugging) player. Bat him #3

3. Finding a leadoff hitter is the most difficult. They must have an OBP% of over .310. Of the remaining players take your two best base runners, of those two players select whoever has the best OBP%. Speed on the bases will help score more runs based on the amount of hits, walks, extra based hits, & balls put into play the follow hitters will produce.

4. Top remaining SLG% batter hits 4th.

5. Best available OBP% player bats 2nd. The first four batters are important because they will probably have the most number of plate appearances during the game.

6. Top remaining OPS player bats 5th.

7. Top remaining OPS player bats 6th.

8. Best OBP% bats 8th, however if the other remaining player’s OBP% is within .040% and is a superior base-runner bat him 8th. You pick the 8th hitter before the 7th hitter because the 8th hitter is followed by the pitcher whose general role will be to advance the runner. So if the pitcher is going to make an out, which they normally do, you want it to be a productive out.

9. Remaining player bats 7th.